New york: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on Monday that merely implementing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is insufficient, advocating for a two-state solution where both Palestinians and Israelis can fully exercise their rights. "It is essential that that ceasefire leads to a solution, and that solution can only be possible if both Palestinians and Israelis can have a state where they can exercise their rights," Guterres emphasized.

According to Anadolu Agency, Guterres depicted the situation in Gaza as "horrific," highlighting the unprecedented levels of death and destruction that compromise the basic dignity of its residents. He underscored the plight of 5 million people living without rights in their own land as a violation of humanity and international law.

Guterres also announced plans for a conference focused on the two-state solution, scheduled for July, with the hope that both parties will overcome current challenges to achieve a lasting ceasefire. "We absolutely need a permanent ceasefire in Gaza," he reiterated, urging for more decisive action.

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has continued its offensive on Gaza since October 2023, resulting in over 58,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children. The ongoing bombardment has devastated the enclave, causing severe food shortages and a rise in disease outbreaks.